Meth salesman headed to prison

A 49-year-old Clarkridge man is headed to prison after entering multiple guilty pleas related to theft and the sale of methamphetamine.

Tommy Hitt was in Baxter County Circuit Court on Thursday where he entered guilty pleas to felony charges of felon in possession of a gun, theft of property, two counts of possession of meth with the intent to deliver, two counts of breaking or entering, possession of meth and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges stem from five different cases dating back to March of last year.

On March 20 of last year, Cpl. William Clements of the Arkansas State Police stopped Hitt when he discovered the license plate on Hitt's Nissan came back to a Cadillac.

Clements used a handheld electronic device to run Hitt's fingerprint and discovered Hitt haw two outstanding warrants for his arrest. Upon searching Hitt, Clements found a bag containing meth.

Approximately two months later, members of the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Hitt's Nevada Ave. home.

During a search of the residence, officers found meth, digital scales, glass pipes used to smoke meth, multiple cell phones and other items related to the sale of meth. Officers noted in the affidavit that Hitt was found hiding in a closet when they went to search the home.

Officers received the warrant after taking numerous complaints from citizens and neighbors that Hitt was selling drugs out of the residence. Hitt's girlfriend told officers she knew stolen items were sometimes stored in the garage and that there was constant drug use and sales occurring in the residence.

Hitt was evicted from the home.

Less than three weeks later and two days after posting bond and getting out of jail, Hitt broke into his former residence. He was arrested and told officers he only broke in to get his belongings.

In January of this year, Hitt and a partner in crime stole numerous items from a Mountain Home residence. The homeowner was able to identify Hitt, because Hitt and his partner went back to the home a second time after stealing a few items.

During the second burglary attempt, the homeowner, armed with a bat, hit one of the men and struck the van they were traveling in. As they were making their getaway, Hitt was drug against a metal fence by the van.

Hitt eventually fled on foot. Both men were arrested later that day.

In the final case, Hitt attempted to steal an 11,000 pound skid loader. After using at least two different woefully underpowered vehicles to try to tow the piece of construction equipment, Hitt tried to hide the skid loader in some woods.

However, investigators with the Baxter County Sheriff's Office found obvious tracks on the roadway from the skid loader and followed the tracks directly to where Hitt had attempted to hide the machine.